Camping options near Round Lake, Illinois center primarily around forest preserves and state parks that provide water access to the Chain O'Lakes system. The area sits at approximately 780 feet above sea level and experiences humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Camping season typically runs from April through October, with most campgrounds closing for the winter months due to below-freezing temperatures.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Turner Lake South offers excellent kayaking with abundant wildlife viewing. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," notes Cora M.
Hiking trails: The trail system at Camp Reinberg provides varied terrain with paved and unpaved options. "Deer Grove Forest Preserve is the best. The trails through the grounds are varied and long--you can find something to suit just about any preference for suburban midwest hiking. There are plenty of paved trails as well as dirt, lots of fun little off-shoots into the woods, creeks run throughout, and there's even a little up-and-down thanks to ice age glaciers," explains Kristy G.
Winter recreation: Though most campgrounds close seasonally, Richard Bong State Recreation Area maintains winter camping and converts some trails for snow sports. "My go-to campground. Have camped here numerous times. Sometimes with family for fun and recreation. Other times all by myself for peace and solitude. This state campground fits both scenarios," shares Glenn S. about Sunset Campground.
What campers like
Budget-friendly options: Prairie View Camping Area offers affordable camping with sites starting at just $12 per night. "These campsites are as low as $12/night!! One of my favorite spots to test new gear. Family friendly. There's some small trails around as well that are beginner," reports Addison G.
Lake access: Sites at Mud Lake East provide direct water access. "This is a great local getaway! There are numerous sites that are on a small lake with great sunset views. Sites are decent size but not much privacy in between sites. Lots of wooded trails within the campground. Perfect if you have a boat and want access to the Chain of Lakes," explains Jori W.
Private site options: For campers seeking more seclusion, Fox Den provides more separation between sites. "Fox den at Chain-o-Lakes state park provides a more secluded camping experience than Honeysuckle or the 2 tent camping areas. Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers (our site was protected on 3 sides by some fairly dens foliage and trees)," according to Ian C.
What you should know
Gate closures: Most state parks in the area have strict gate policies. "The gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark," warns Brian O. at Turner Lake South.
Insects: Mosquitoes and ticks can be problematic, especially in summer months. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people!" cautions Meg about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Seasonal facility maintenance: Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area bathrooms require attention during peak season. "It's a really nice site, but the running water bathrooms were not cleaned regularly and the pit toilets were almost overflowing on a Thursday. The site was also filled with garbage when we arrived," notes Terran B.
Tips for camping with families
Scout the right loop: Not all campground loops are equally suitable for families with young children. "We chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep. Closer to the center of this row is best," recommends Meg at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Midweek camping: For a less crowded experience with children, consider non-weekend dates. "We stayed here for a week over the summer in 2021. The campground was really busy during the weekend, but cleared out Sunday and we nearly had the whole loop to ourselves during the week," shares Tina at Honeysuckle Hollow.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for common wildlife interactions. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down," advises Meg.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookups: At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, full hookup RV sites provide the most amenities near Round Lake. "We stayed for 4 nights in June in a pull thru FHU. The mosquitos were pretty vicious... a couple of the regulars said it was the worst they'd been in years. We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night," reports Jenifer K.
Electric box sharing: Be aware of electrical box arrangements at some campgrounds. "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad. A lot of the spaces are also crowded together. Recommend sites 23 to 46 for spacing and electric distance," advises Debra M. about Honeysuckle Hollow.
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose carefully if you have slideouts. "We originally booked 96 but could not extend our slide because of large trees on either side of the pad and then the electric was about 50 feet away. Moved to 50 one of the nicest spots," shares Debra M.
